What is a dermatologic surgeon?

Part of a progressive medical subspecialty, ASDS member dermatologists perform medically necessary and cosmetic procedures to improve the health, function and beauty of skin through every stage of life.

From forehead furrows to frown lines…

Performing more than 5 million cosmetic procedures each year, ASDS member dermatologists offer many treatments that are less intense, safer and have quicker recovery times than ever before.

1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every year

Any suspicious new growths or changes should be examined by a dermatologist immediately. ASDS member dermatologists are trained to select the best treatment choice based on the individual patient.

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) June 26 announced the launch of a fellowship accreditation program designed to promote post-residency training in cosmetic dermatologic surgery procedures.

With varying degrees of exposure to cosmetic procedures in residency, fellowship training will give young dermatologists a solid educational foundation and better prepare them for the increasing consumer demand for elective procedures, said ASDS President Timothy C. Flynn, M.D.

“Through accreditation, the ASDS can advance the quality of physicians’ education through exemplary standards,” Dr. Flynn said. “The ASDS Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Accreditation Program also provides an opportunity to recognize existing independent fellowship programs that previously had no mechanism for recognition.”

Modeled after fellowship initiatives used by the American College of Mohs Surgery and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the ASDS Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship Accreditation Program will be based on six core competencies: patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning, interpersonal skills, professionalism and system-based practice. A curriculum and bibliography will help guide the fellowship program’s annual training plan.

All cosmetic dermatologic surgery fellowship programs accredited by the ASDS will be one year in duration and will begin on July 1, Aug. 1 or Sept. 1 each calendar year. The application deadline for programs seeking to begin Sept. 1 is Aug. 1. Each program, including its faculty, must be approved by the ASDS Accreditation Work Group which makes the final accreditation decision on all aspects of accreditation.

Both ASDS members and non-member applicants are able to apply for accreditation status. Once the full application process has been completed and provisionary accreditation granted, site reviews will be scheduled and final approval may be extended to applicants pending the outcome of the site review and full review by the Accreditation Work Group

“Establishing a cosmetic surgery fellowship fills a void that most residents have upon completing a dermatology residency and ensures that future dermatologists are well-trained in cosmetic procedures,” said ASDS President-Elect Mitchel P. Goldman, M.D. “While residents are exposed to skin cancer surgery and repairs of surgical defects, most receive little training in the use of fillers, neuromodulators, biostimulatory agents and the wide variety of lasers available to treat both the cosmetic patient as well as a variety of dermatologic diseases.”

Direct supervision is a key component of the fellowship program. As such, each program must have at least two faculty members to adequately support the educational needs of one fellow and must average at least 1,000 combined cases per year in five of eight categories over the last five years. Those eight categories include: wrinkles and folds, body contouring, rejuvenation, lifting, resurfacing, hair treatments, veins and scar revision.

“The emphasis of the Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship curriculum is the acquisition of knowledge and skills based upon specific categories,” Dr. Flynn said. “With only one fellow per two faculty members, there is ample opportunity for hands-on experience as well as intimate faculty exposure and one-on-one learning.”

Additional information about the ASDS Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Accreditation Program is available at: http://www.asds.net/cosmetic-accreditation/

ASDS is recognized as the premier specialty group representing dermatologists performing all procedures – cosmetic, general, reconstructive and Mohs. ASDS members are experts in treating skin and soft tissue with surgical and non-surgical methods.